Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1887-03-26
SCHOOL INTERESTS NO. IS.

In this communication I desire to
treat of the teachers duty to his profess
sion.
/. The teacher k3aoars his high calling
By fitting himself for his profession in
the different acays already mentioned.
If he enters the profession without
the proper qualifications, he can GER
tainly be no credit to it, but he be-
comes directly instrumental in bring
ing it into disrepute, and no one has
right to do this. The honor of his
profession demands from him not
only the requisite qualifications, but
faithful discharge of all his duties
in that direction, not even allowing
physical ills to prevent their perform
ance. No matter what the obstacles,
no matter what the opposition, his
duty clearly is to 60 forward. AS al.
ready stated, he must be constantly
improving. In this profession there
is. no stand still point. Either he
must be advancing or retrograding
His mark should be placed high, and
though he may never be- able to reach
that degree of eminence at which he
aims, he should be constantly approx
imating to it.
9. The teacher honors his profession
by encouraging and attending teachers
meetings and Institutes.
By doing this with a proper degree
of zeal and interest and participating
actively in all their exercises, he will
not only improve himself, but be in
strumental In improving others as
well. He who, either from selfish.
ness or Indifference, refuses to attend
these meetings is no credit to the pro-
fessiOn. Cases have occurred within
my own knowledge of teachers neg
Letting to attend such meetings, either
because they considered their own
private business of more importance,
or because they consoled themselves
with the fiattering JUNCTION that they
did not derive any special benefit
from such meetings. But we trust a
better day is fast approaching when
all such persons shall be left outside
of this healthy organization," as
diseased parts, which, if retained,
might injure the healthy influence OF
the rest.
By these teachers meetings much
improvement may be made If con
Quoted in such way as to reach prac-
tically every phase of common scheol
work. Plans of melting more inter
est in study may be introduced, =
remedies for various existing evils
may be devised,-a common feeling
and common interest may be en-
gendered, and by mingling together
and becoming more intimately ac-
quainted with each other, a bond of
union may be formed that will be
very pleasant. Those who formerly
labored with the feeling that they
were almost entirely isolated and
alone, become convinced that there
are others who can fully appreciate
their labors, their hindrances and
their trials, and who can sympathize
with their sorrows and rejoice in their
joys. In this profession it is emphati-
| cally true that Sin union there is
strength"
Much good has already been accom-
plished by these teachers meetings,
and much more would certainly be
effected if they were more common
and better attended: No district
should be without them, and nc
teacher should be employed who will
not attend them or seems disposed to
ignore the benefit derived from tn EN-
1t would pay in the end if school
officers would allow the teachers to
utilize one school day every month
for this purpose, deducting a days
wages from each teacher falling to
attend, and refusing a certificate to
any teacher persisting in his non-at.
tendance at such meetings. At such
meetings it would be well for the
school officers and patrons to be pres.
ent, where they would be likely to
hear that which would have a tend
ency to make them more jealous co.
operators with their teacher in his
school-work.
When all the teachers of West
Virginia, the fair daughter of the
cold Dominion" are brought to at.
tend these meetings, and all, through
their influence, are enabled to feel the
importance of their position,-that
they are all laboring for one great
object, and all labor faithfully and
earnestly together to advance the
cause, and secure the blessings of edu-
cation,-what glorious and joyful
day it will be. VIM. GERHARDT.